Clarifying Handrail Bracket Clearance

Required clearance between a handrail and other building elements continues to confound and confuse. Here’s a quick review of where present codes now stand.

The 1992 Americans With Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) stated that there was to be an absolute dimension of 1-1/2″ between a handrail and a wall. This was actually a “grab bar” dimension which was part of an old version of ANSI A117.1. Its purpose was to avoid someone from getting caught between the wall and the handrail. ANSI changed the notation to 1-1/2″ minimum in 1990.

This was not the case with ADAAG which took 20 years to be updated. The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design now requires a 1-1/2″ minimum, as does the IBC, IRC and ANSI A117.1.

Codes also generally require that there be a 1-1/2″ clearance between the underside of the handrail and any obstruction — including the horizontal bracket arm. There is an allowance however for variations in the handrail size — for every 1/2″ of additional perimeter dimension over 4″, you may subtract 1/8″ from the clearance requirement. For example:

OD

Perimeter

Subtract from
1-1/2″ Requirement

Clearance From
Underside of Railing

1.25″

3.92″

1-1/2″

1.50″

4.71″

-1/8″

1-3/8″

1.66″

5.21″

-1/4″

1-1/4″

1.90″

5.97″

-1/2″

1″

2.00″

6.28″

-1/2″

1″

As always, we strongly recommend that you confirm all code issues with your local officials prior to specifying.

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